An On-the -Spot Poem. Please enjoy and please send your prayers to this teacher if you know who she is.

Sunglasses to mask the Sorrow

My teacher's father died. 

Last week she was absent,

probably attending his funeral.

I still can barely imagine that seen

without her full of energy and light.

Although when I saw her yesterday

she was all but that.

Her eyes were rimmed red,

and they were bloodshot.

I was afraid, so I tried to act normal.

Today when I saw her she was better.

Her eyes were still rimmed red,

but she had more cheer and spirit.

My mom and I came in to see her

and talk about my grades.

When we were about to leave,

my mom hugged my teacher,

and she said, "Thanks. I need it."

As we turned to say goodbye,

I noticed that my mom 

quickly wiped a tear out of her eye

and put on her sunglasses 

to mask her sorrow.

I remembered then that

my mother, too, had lost her father

at a young age.

I thought, she must know what it feels like.

My mom and I didn't talk the car ride back,

but now I know what she was thinking about.